Has anyone delt with fractured cannon bones and trying to continue with barrel racing? THe vet tells me its not the best idea but i also know people who have had their barrel horses fracture a cannon and come back just as good if not better. Any ideas or comments?

How much do you trust your vet's opinion? I have the utmost faith in my horse's vet, and would take his opinion over another rider/trainer's any day. Perhaps you could get a second opinion from another vet?

Remember, every break and every horse is different. Perhaps the other horses who have continued their barrel racing careers had breaks that have a higher success rate for healing. BR is an incredibly strenuous event (as I'm sure you know); that is a lot of strain on even healthy legs. If there is a weakness, you could be headed for disaster.

Honestly, if my horse had recovered from a fracture, I'd be thanking my lucky stars that he was not only still around, but sound. I don't think I would ever risk him with something like barrel racing. My own horse has spent close to a year recovering from a pulled suspensory ligament, and I doubt I will ever let him jump again. He's first and foremost my dressage horse anyway, but he did enjoy jumping a couple times a month. Right now, I'm just happy he has recovered.

Like I said, if you are really set on BR with him, I would contact another vet for a second opinion. Where in Florida is Quincy? If you are located near either West Palm or Ocala, you have access this time of year to probably some of the best sport horse vets in the country.

Im in teh panhandle but we also have alot of great sport vets because we are in teh middle of the western areas of GA and FL. BUt i trust mine completely but i also know hes EXTREMELY cautious with what he tells the owners because he doesnt want to give them teh wrong impression. The only reason im thinking of continueing is i cant even put him in a field with barrels right now because even if im not on him around the barrels he goes and hes only 5 years old so hes still young. Im thinking another vet but women large animal vets around here that i know are VERY few lol. And he cant have amale vet because hes a stubborn jerk lol

I agree that you should get a second opinion. Maybe there is a specialist?

After Sahara shattered her elbow she had surgery and a plate put in. She was out of commission for months and a year later she still didn't have her muscle back. I did ride her eventually and even put her over a couple small jumps but it didn't feel right so we just went on a few relaxed pleasure rides from then on. Sometimes you have to go with your gut. My vet was excellent that way. He was a surgical vet and basically said take it slow and play it by ear. Technically, the joint was stronger because the plate fused to the bone. However, the muscle was weaker and never got fully back to it's original strength imo

We had a pony break her rear cannon bone... She is liveable sound (not in any pain), but I doubt I would put the stress of riding on it. Like was said, every break is different... we have had a couple of break experiences... I'm sorry, I missed - was it a rear or a front?

Glad to hear your horse is on the mend, but I agree, maybe set smaller goals - like today we're going to do X, and forget about BR for a little bit. How long has it been since the break?

it was around may that he broke it and we wouldnt start br till maybe may most likely later then that. right now i only ride in the paddock or pasture. and it was front right it wasnt that bad of a fracture he hit it against a tree being a stubborn pain in the butt stallion. (decided to hump a fallen pine ) but it all depends on him. he keeps trying to go near the barrels to the point he is stuck on a long line when hes out without me on him lol.